Mike Ford is a Principal and Executive Recruiter. He has played a key role in STM’s financial, operational, and sales/marketing searches since joining the firm in 2008. During his tenure at STM, Mike has filled numerous executive-level positions with junior, mid-tier, and large publicly traded companies globally. These placements include Board, C-Level, Vice President Finance, General Counsel, Vice President/General Manager, Corporate Controller as well as various middle management roles. As a recruiter, Mike focuses on building relationships and finding out-of-the-box solutions to attract long-term talent to fill specific company needs.
Mike holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Utah. Prior to joining STM Associates, Mike worked in sales and marketing for Fortune 500 companies posting multiple top 10% finishes. Additionally, he has lived in the former Soviet Union, speaks Russian, and is familiar with the cultural nuances of the region.
Jen Cairel joined STM Associates in 2006 and is currently employed as an Executive Recruiter. As a recruiter Jen has handled mid- to senior-level assignments in the coal, industrial minerals, and energy industries. Jen is focused on delivering top quality candidates by listening closely to clients and fully understanding their specific needs and cultural nuances.
Prior to joining STM, Jen was a Legal Assistant for Pruitt Gushee P.C., a natural resources law firm in Salt Lake City. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Communication from California State University, Monterey Bay.
Ignacia Errazuriz is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience in recruitment and human resources, specializing in full-cycle talent acquisition and organizational development. She has successfully recruited across multiple industries, with a strong affinity for mining, having grown up in a mining family. Ignacia is known for her rigorous approach to research, networking, and candidate vetting to attract top talent. She is also passionate about implementing process improvements that enhance hiring outcomes.
Ignacia holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Organizational Development from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and an SPHR certification from HRCI. Fluent in English and Spanish, she combines strategic insight with a client-focused approach to deliver impactful HR solutions.
Diana Samaniego is an Administrative Assistant at STM Associates who supports research, candidate database management, interview and travel coordination, and administrative operations. Bilingual in English and Spanish, she brings strong organizational, communication, and technical skills, including expertise with MS Office and recruitment software. Before joining STM Associates in 2005, she spent more than 10 years as a Proposal Writer/GeoAccess Specialist in the pharmacy benefits management industry.
Kristi Ellis brings extensive experience in customer service management and corporate communications. In the banking industry, she served as a Support Service Manager, where she developed training programs for new customer service representatives, supervised a team of eight employees, and ensured compliance with technical documentation and regulatory standards. She also provided high-level administrative support to multiple C-suite executives.
Kristi is highly organized, an excellent communicator, a skilled researcher. and thrives in collaborative team environments. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from the University of Utah.
